Fisker Automotive Inc. is looking into a report that 16 of its Karma plug-in hybrids caught fire at a New Jersey port after being submerged in seawater during Hurricane Sandy.

"There were no injuries, and none of the cars were being charged at the time," the company said in a statement. "We have confidence in the Fisker Karma and safety is our primary concern.

"While we intend to find the cause as quickly as possible, storm damage has restricted access" to the Port of Newark.

Russell Datz, a Fisker spokesman, said: "Obviously, there was a big storm. A million things could've happened. You just don't know."

The Karma travels about 50 miles on lithium ion battery power before a gasoline engine takes over to extend the driving range. In August Fisker recalled 2,400 Karmas to repair a faulty cooling fan that Fisker said was the cause of a car fire in Woodside, Calif.